This is a pad of 100 A4 hectograph sheets, with green transfer, designed for creating tattoo stencils by hand drawing. It is the basic consumable for artists who prepare their stencils by hand, without a thermal printer: you draw the design on the sheet, and the line transfers in green onto the layer that then goes onto the skin. Being a pack of 100 pieces, it covers a good volume of work for both beginners practicing and an active studio.
What is the difference between manual hectograph sheets and thermal ones?▾
Manual sheets, like these, are used by drawing or tracing the design by hand, with pressure — the instrument's pressure transfers the line onto the layer that reaches the skin. Thermal sheets, on the other hand, are intended for thermal stencil printers and copiers, where transfer is done by heat. If you work without a thermal printer or prefer to draw your own stencils by hand, the manual version is the right choice.
Can I use these sheets in a thermal stencil printer?▾
No, this pad is intended for manual application, by hand drawing, as the product name indicates. For thermal stencil printers or copiers, use sheets dedicated to thermal transfer. If you use both methods in the studio, keep the two types of sheets separate and labeled to avoid mixing them up.
What should I draw on the sheet with to get a good transfer?▾
You can use a regular pen or a tracing tool with a firm tip — the important thing is to press consistently and hard enough, because pressure is what transfers the green pigment. Very soft pencils or wide-tipped tools produce blurry lines. Before a complex stencil, test on a corner of a sheet to see exactly how much pressure you need.
How do I transfer the drawing from the sheet onto the client's skin?▾
After you have drawn the design and cut it out, prepare the skin — cleaned, shaved, and disinfected — and apply a thin layer of stencil transfer solution or gel. Press the stencil with the green side onto the skin for a few seconds without moving it, then peel it off gently. Let the design dry completely before starting the tattoo, otherwise the lines will smudge on the first passes.
Can I reuse a stencil if it turned out well and I want the same design for another client?▾
No. The stencil touches the client's skin, so for hygiene reasons it is used once and then discarded. For the same design on another client, draw a new stencil on a new sheet — that's why a pack of 100 pieces is practical. Keep the original drawing as a reference so you can retrace it anytime.
How do I store the sheets so they don't degrade over time?▾
Keep the pad on a flat surface, in its packaging or in a folder, away from heat, humidity, and direct sunlight. The pigment layer is sensitive to these conditions, and bent or heat-stored sheets can result in weak or blotchy transfer. Only take out the sheets you need at the time and keep the rest sealed.
